550 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



MR. IIIESTER. — Years ago many grapes were grown in Lancaster 

 and York counties, but owing to Black-rot the vineyards were de- 

 stroyed. 



MR. BROWN. — Before leaving the discussion of this report of the 

 General Fruit Committee, I want to commend it for its thoroughness 

 and the valuable information that has been compiled from every 

 section of the State. The first of the reports I ever heard was sub- 

 mitted by Mr. Snavely of Lebanon, and was read at your annual meet- 

 ing at Harrisburg, nine years ago, and it was one of the best I have 

 ever listened to. 



MR. HIESTER. — I heartily agree with Mr. Brown. I consider 

 these reports better and fuller than any heard elsewhere or in any 

 other state. 



We have about completed our regular program, and I will call 

 upon Mr. Tyson for some information concerning the local society 

 that has been organized in this county and of which he is an active 

 member. 



The following paper was read by Air. Tyson: 



THE FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ADAMS COUNTY 



A Logical Outcome of the Fruit Growing Interests of the Community. 



BY CHESTER J. TYSON, Flr.radale, Pa. 



Adams county, Penna., is bordered on the North and West by the 

 South Mountain whose spurs and foot-hills break the adjoining 

 county into numerous valleys with their well-drained, fertile slopes 

 and interlying table lands. This comparatively narrow belt of land, 

 with a few exceptions, comprises the fruit area of Adams county, 

 varying from about three to ten miles in width and extending from 

 York county to the Maryland line. 



The soil of this district is quite varied; alternately and in some 

 parts all jumbled together, we find red shale, gray and white flint, 

 copper and iron stone. But whatever the soil, the hills are for the 

 most part gravelly and the drainage is excellent. 



For many years it has been known that this section was well suited 

 to the growing of fruits, particularly apples and many fine old 

 orchards have borne excellent fruit, doing their life work and pass- 

 ing away, to be replaced by others. Thus it has been for the past 

 hundred years, but it was the same old story — a few fine apples, but 

 not enough to attract the buyers. The "volume of business was not 

 here. Each grower was compelled to market his" own fruit and 

 through inexperience there was much loss. So the fruit industry did 

 not grow. Early in the nineties, however, there was a general 

 awakening all along the line and several large orchards were planted. 

 From that time on, the enthusiasm increased, perhaps reaching its 



